Stephen Cluxton won his ninth All-Ireland football medal earlier this year after making a shock return to the squad for this year's Leinster senior football championship.
The 42-year-old made a dramatic return to the panel ahead of their Allianz football league clash against Louth at the end of March before starting in the provincial semi-final against Kildare the following month.
He went onto play a decisive role in the campaign as his side ultimately won their first Sam Maguire since 2020, incidentally the last match Cluxton had started for Dublin prior to this season.
The Parnells man is one of only three players to have won nine All-Ireland medals; teammates Mick Fitzsimons and James McCarthy being the others.
Last night the Dublin players were presented with their All-Ireland medals and celebrated their achievements from this year and 2020 (delayed due to Covid-19) at a special ceremony.
In Donnybrook, the annual RTÉ Sports Awards were also taking place, with Dublin nominated for Team of the Year.
Marty Morrissey at the Dublin medal presentation and spoke to the three nine-time All-Ireland medal winners, as well as manager Dessie Farrell.
Stephen Cluxton reveals reason behind Dublin return
For the first time Cluxton revealed the reason he returned to the panel earlier this year when asked about the reaction he got when he stepped back into the Dublin dressing room.
"I suppose there was a lot of work in the background going on for a couple of months beforehand," he said.
"I'd obviously been in constant contact with Josh Moran, the goalkeeping coach, and there was an unwritten rule there that if they [Dublin] were ever stuck I would give them a dig out.
"I suppose the time arose and I was contacted by the management team so it didn't take me too long to say yes, come back and give them a dig out.
"Obviously I was only going to if the body was willing. After a couple of training sessions we thought that maybe we'd give it a crack.
"It all worked out in the end. I'm very thankful for that."
💬 "There was an unwritten rule that if they were ever stuck that I would give them a dig out"
Stephen Cluxton on his return to the Dublin panel in time for another All-Ireland triumph#RTESportAwards
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It is unclear as to whether Cluxton will return for another season.
Dublin make a return to Division One of the Allianz Football League on January 27th when they face Monaghan at Croke Park.
There was no joy for the team at the RTÉ Sports Awards as the Limerick hurlers were crowned Team of the Year.
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